This was right at the crossroads between the “Illmatic” introspective cerebral style and the “It was Written” vivid mafioso. Nas was turning “Nas” to “Nas Escobar”. You can see with spanish slang dropped in the verse.

Nas seemingly buckled to pressure, and having been an innovator in rap style, joined the Mafioso bandwagon: Kool G Rap, Raekwon the Chef, AZ Sosa, Wu Gambinos, Jay Z Hovito etc. However, he executed this rap with unmatched precision.